End table heater



April 7, 1965 D. w. COVAULT 3,186,972

END TABLE HEATER Filed March 8, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Darrel/ M. 60 vau/f INVENTOR.

406;... BY gm, 25m

United States Patent 3,180,972 END TABLE HEATER Darrell W. Covault, Veedershurg, Ind. (RR. 1, Kingman, Ind.) Filed Mar. 8, 1962, Ser. No. 178,376 6 Claims. (Cl. 219365) The present invention generally relates to heaters, and more particularly to a table and heater combination wherein the heat is supplied by electrical energy.

One of the major problems involved in the use of a portable or substantially portable electric heater, either as an auxiliary source of heat or as the primary source of heat, arises from the fact that the heater in most instances has no part in the esthetic ararngement of the furniture in a room, but rather, is a foreign object generally located in any convenient position regardless of appearance and performing no other function than the production of heat. This problem is particularly acute in comparatively small rooms which can only conveniently accommodate the basic minimum of furniture required.

Accordingly, one of the primary objects of the present invention is the provision of a heater in combination with a table so as to provide, in addition to the heater, an attractive and useful piece of furniture.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of a heater which can remain in place and be used as either a table or a heater, or both, thus avoiding the necessity of removing and storing the heater during the warmer seasons of the year during which a heater would not normally be needed.

An additional significantv object of the present invention is the provision of a compact highly efiicient heater capable of being located within a minimum of space.

Also, an object of the present invention is the provision of a device which is relatively inexpensive to manufacture and can be easily serviced for any necessary repairs or replacements of the heat lamps which function as the heat source.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the table heater of the present invention with a portion broken away so as to illustrate one of the lamps;

FIGURE 2 is a cross sectional view taken substantially on a plane passing along line 2--2 in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially on a plane passing along line 33 in FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is across-sectional view taken substantially on a plane passing through line 44 in FIGURE 3; and

FIGURE 5 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially on a plane passing along the line 55 in FIGURE 3.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, reference numeral generally designates the table heater comprising the present invention. The table heater of the present invention consists basically of a table structure 12 and a heater assembly 14.

The table structure consists of a front panel 16, a rear panel 18, two side panels 20 and 22, a top panel 24 and a bottom panel 26. These panels form an enclosure 2? for the reception of the heater assembly 14. Both the top and bottom panels 24 and 26 are provided with peripheral notches 30 and 32 so as to accommodate the front, rear and side panels. These panels are preferably formed of wood, but can obviously be formed of any suitable material so as to present an attractive outer surface. The legs 34 are also preferably formed of wood but not specifically limited thereto. These legs 34 may be of any desirable length depending upon the use to which the table is to be put, however, the preferred form involves the use of the table structure 12 as an end table. The various panels comprising the enclosure 23 are secured together by the use of angle irons fastened to the panels in any conventional manner such as by the use of rivets or threaded bolts and nuts, however, it is highly desirable that both the front and the rear panels 16 and 18 be removable so as to allow access to the heater assembly 14. Additionally, it will be noted that the top panel 24 is also removable so as to allow access to the enclosure 2% containing the heater assembly 14.

The heater assembly 14 of the present invention cornprises a fan 38, a fan motor 40, and a fan casing 12. The fan casing 42 is provided with a forward extending duct 44 which terminates in outwardly bent flanges 46 secured to the rear panel 13 of the table structure 12 by means of a plurality of bolts as. The rear panel 18 is provided with an aperture 5% so as to allow for the introduction of air into the enclosure 28. A deflector plate 52 is positioned inwardly of the rear panel 18 and in alignment with the aperture 56. This deflector plate 52, as seen in FIG- URES 2 and 3, consists of a circular plate bent at approximately a 45 angle and having a central aperture 54 therein. This aperture 54 is slightly smaller than the aperture 54 in the rear panel 18, and the deflector plate is secured to the rear panel 18 by two straps 56 in a manner so as to position the aperture 54 on a line with the aperture 50. It will be noted that the bolts 48 used to secure the duct 44 to the rear panel 18 can also be used to secure the straps 56 to the rear panel 18. The other end of the straps 56 can be secured to the deflector plate 52 in any convenient manner such as by welding.

The heater assembly 14 further includes a heat source 58 comprising two lamps 60 secured in a conventional manner within sockets 62 secured to the rear panel 18. An electrical conduit 64 provides the necessary power to operate both the heat lamps and the fan motor. A conventional switch means, not shown, is provided for the regulation of the electrical power.

The heater assembly 14 further includes a heat exchange assembly 66 which is effective to transfer the heat generated by the heat lamps 6i) to'the air flowing through the enclosure 28. The heat exchange assembly 66 includes a first baffle plate 68 secured between the sides 20 and 22 of the table structure 12 by means of a fastening means 70 extending through the sides 20 and 22 and through perpendicular flanges 72 formed on the ends of the first bafl'le plate 68. The baiiie plate 68 is provided with a plurality of extended conductor rods 74 which are of significance in increasing the heat transfer qualities of the heat exchange assembly 66. An upwardly extending central portion 76 is provided on the first baffle plate 68 so as to space the upper edge of the bafiie plate 68 from the top plate 24 thus providing two elongated grooves 73 to allow for the flow of air. It will be noted that the extending central portion can, if so desired, form an additional support for the top plate 24. The first baflie plate 68 is additionally provided with a plurality of apertures it which allow both the heat and light rays to go through the first bathe 63 and come in contact with a second baffle plate 82. This passage of the heat rays through the first baille plate 68 and into contact with the second baffie plate 52 greatly increases the elfective heat transmitting areas of the exchange assembly so.

The second bafiie plate $2 is positioned forward of the first bar'iie plate oti'and is secured between the sides 20 and 22 in the same maner as the first baffle plate 63, this second baffle plate 32 being spaced from the bottom panel 26 by means of an extending central portion 8 which results in the provision of two elongated openings The openings $6 are provided to accommodate the flow of air through the enclosure 28. As noted in regard to the first bafile plate rid, the upper edge of the second bafile plate $2 can also be used to support the top panel 24. Aside from the two elongated openings 36, the second bathe plate 82 is imperforate.

From the foregoing, it .is apparent that the heat exchange assembly as of the present invention employs conduction, absorption, radiation and convection in the transfer of the heat to the air flow through the enclosure 23. The specific arrangement of the bafiies as and 82, as set forth supra, insures tl e proper heating of the air before its discharge from the heater assembly 14 through the egress grille (i3 formed in the front panel re.

The egress grille $3 is secured to the front panel 125 by means of fasteners 9-9 or in any other conventional manner. Further, if so desired the grille 33 can be formed While a plurality of 1 wherein the flow of air through the enclosure 2% and out of the egress grille 38 is shown by arrows, whereby the heat dissipation of the rods 7'4 and baffles 68 and $2 combined with the heat dissipation into the air by the lamps 69 provide an efficient transfer of heat to the air passing through the table enclosure.

Accordingly, the heater of the present invention respectively converts electrical power into heat by the use of heat lamps and transfers this heat through an exchange assembly to a current of air flowing through a table structure and induced by a fan located rearwardly of the table and heat source. This flow of air continues past the heat source, through the exchange assembly and out through an egress grill provided at the forward end of the table structure. While no particular insulation has been illustrated, such insulation can be applied asneeded and still fall within the scope of the present invention.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. An article of furniture comprising a top, a bottom, a front panel, a rear panel, and two side panels forming an enclosure, a slotted grille positioned within the front panel forming an egress means from the interior of the enclosure, heat source means located within the enclosure adjacent the rear panel, an air directing means located behind the heat source means directing air past the heat source means, through the enclosure and out the between the heat source means and the egress means, said heat exchange assembly including a first baflle plate positioned between the sides of the enclosure at a point forward of the heat source means,'said first baflle plate provided with a plurality of holes so as to allow for the fiow of air therethrough.

2. The combination of claim 1 including a plurality of heat transmitting rods extending from the first battle plate on the side directed away from the heat source and toslotted grille, said air directing means including a fan mounted on the exterior of the rear panel, a duct secured between the fan and the rear panel directing the flow of air toward the rear panel, an aperture formed in the rear panel in alignment with the duct so as to provide an entrance means for the flow of air into the enclosure and past the heat source means, a plate, bent at approximately ward the egress means.

3'. The combination of claim 2 wherein the heat ex change assembly includes a second bathe plate positioned forward of the first bafile plate, said second baffle plate spaced from the bottom of the enclosure along a major.

portion of its length so as to accommodate the flow of air.

4. A heater consisting of an enclosure, an egress grille at one end of the enclosure, an air flow inducing means located adjacentthe opposite end of the enclosure and directing an air flow through the enclosure and out the egress grille, heat source means mounted within the enclosure between the air flow inducing means and the egress means and in the path of the air flow, and a heat exchange assembly mounted within the enclosure between the heat source means and the egress means, said assembly including a bafile plate extending transversely across the flow path, said bafiie plate being provided with a plurality of holes so as to allow for a flow of air therethrough, and

a plurality. of heat transmitting rods extending from the bafile plate on the side directed away from the heat source and toward the egress grille, said heat source means consisting of heat lamps located laterally of the air flow inducing means, and a deflector plate in the enclosure positioned so as to direct a portion of the air fiow laterally past the heat lamps.

5. A heater consisting of an enclosure, an egress grille at one end of the enclosure, an air flow inducing means located adjacent the opposite end of the enclosure and directing an air flow through the enclosure and out the egress grille, heat source means mounted within the enclosure between the air flow inducing means and the egress means and in the path of the air flow, and a heat exchange assembly mounted within the enclosurebetween the heat source means and the egress means, said as-. sembly including a bafile plate extending transversely across the flow path, said bafile plate being provided with a plurality of holes so as to allow for a flow of air therethrough, and a plurality of heat transmitting rods extending from the baffle plate on the side directed away from the heat source and toward the egress grille, said heat exchange assembly also including a second bafiie plate positioned in spaced relation between the first mentioned bafile plate and the egress grille, said second bathe plate being imperforate and having one edge spaced from the adjoining wall of the enclosure along a major portion of its length so as to accommodate the flow of air.

6. A heater consisting of an enclosure, an egress grille atone end of the enclosure, an air flow inducing means located adjacent the opposite end of the enclosure and directing an air flow through the enclosure and out the egress grille, heat source means mounted within the enclosure between the air flow inducing means and the egress means and in the path of the air flow, and a heat exchange assembly mounted within'the enclosure between the heat source means and the egress means, said assembly including a bafiie plate extending transversely across the flow path, said baffle plate being provided with a plurality of holes so as to allow for a flow of air therethrough, and a second baflie plate positioned in spaced relation between the first mentioned baffie plate and the egress grille, said second baffle plate being imperforate and having one edge spaced from the adjoining wall of the enclosure along a major portion of its length so as to accommodate the flow of air.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,660,052 2/28 Shepherd 219-368 1,705,812 3/29 Fisher.

RICHARD M. WOOD, Primary Examiner. ANTHONY BARTIS, Examiner. 

4. A HEATER COMPRISING OF AN ENCLOSURE, AN EGRESS GRILLE AT ONE END OF THE ENCLOSURE, AN AIR FLOW INDUCING MEANS LOCATED ADJACENT THE OPPOSITE END OF THE ENCLSOURE AND DIRECTING AN AIR FLOW THROUGH THE ENCLOSURE AND OUT THE EGRESS GRILLE, HEAT SOURCE MEANS MOUNTED WITHIN THE ENCLOSURE BEBETWEEN THE AIR FLOW INDICATING MEANS AND THE EGRESS MEANS AND IN THE PATH OF THE AIR FLOW, AND A HEAT EXCHANGE ASSEMBLY MOUNTED WITHIN THE ENCLOSURE BETWEEN THE HEAT SOURCE MEANS AND THE EGRESS MEANS AND ASSEMBLY INCLUDING A BAFFLE PLATE EXTENDING TRANSVERSELY ACROSS THE FLOW PATH, SAID BAFFLE PLATE BEING PROVIDED WITH A PLURALITY OF HOLES SO AS TO ALLOW FOR A FLOW OF AIR THERETHROUGH, AND A PLURALITY OF HEAT TRANSMITTING RODS EXTENDING FROM THE BAFFLE PLATE ON THE SIDE DIRECTED AWAY FROM THE HEAT SOURCE AND TOWARD THE EGRESS GRILLE, SAID HEAT SOURCE MEANS CONSISTING OF HEAT LAMPS LOCATED LATERALLY OF THE AIR FLOW INDUCING MEANS, AND A DEFLECTOR PLATE IN THE ENCLOSURE POSITIONED SO AS TO DIRECT A PORTION OF THE AIR FLOW LATERALLY PAST THE HEAT LAMPS. 